The time has come. We got a new (to us) camper and trading off ours was not an option. I asked the dealer we got the new one from and it just has too many issues for him to be interested. Understandable.

so, it is a 2009 north trail 31RED. (Not that it matters). It has a salvage title, water damage to the fiberglass siding (bubbled) on the drivers side and entire rear. The furnace quit working when flipped the shore power on while the furnace was running on battery power (don’t do that, apparently) and worst of all, the picture window in the rear leaked without me knowing about it and the water got into the floor. I think I got the window sealed up, but the floor has gotten worse over the last few years. It is now to the point where you could fall through if you step down hard in the last 12” of the camper. It’s just done. It’s been a great camper, but it just done.

so, I’ve called most of the big dealers around and no one wants it. Not even for free. I looked for salvage camper dealers who might want use it as a rebuildable (parts) and I’m just not finding anyone around.

currently, I’m thinking about stripping all of the useful stuff off, like the aluminum wheels and good tires (same size as my boat) and taking it to an auction house and selling it with no reserve disclosing all of the know issues.

We bought it 9 years ago for $7300 with a salvage title. I think I’d be fine getting nothing for it just to get rid of it, but I’m not dealing with Facebook marketplace. First off, I’ve never used facebook and don’t have an account (not starting now) second off, I don’t want to deal with people who ask to come look at it and then ghost you. I’m too busy for that kind of nonsense.

so, are there other options I’m not thinking of? I’m fine with just about whatever, but if there are other options I’m not thinking of, I’m all ears. But selling it without full disclosure is not an option. Anyone buying it from me will know what they are getting.

 

Take what you want out of it and take it to a scrap yard. Or for me what would be more fun, If there is a race track in your state that runs a trailer race, I would do that. They are a blast. Or post it on some local selling/buying thing and offer it for free. someone will want it.

 

As you found out the dealers dont want your trailer becuase of the condition and the salvage title.
Your not going to get much for it anyway and swapping the tires isn't going to make the value any different.

I think auction companies inspect vehicles first to estimate a value and of course they will charge a fee if sold.
FB book is good for selling if you are patient .I have sold a lot of stuff including our old 2011 Springdale trailer and 2001 Dodge Ram just over a year ago.

 

Post it 'as is' on Facebook Marketplace for $500. Someone will want a TT even if only dry shelter for a hunter.

 

had similar experience, although, my camper was in better condition but did have soft spots on the roof, floor rot around rear ramp and wrotting door. I found one dealer that would offer me up to $1300. On a whim, put it for sale on Facebook market place for $5000 and sold it within an hour. A great piece of mind to not have to worry about it.

 

Dealing with FB can be a pain, or it can all work out I've had plenty of both experiences. If you were near me many would want it to live in, very high demand for old campers.

 

Hey meborder, I think you will have no problem selling trailer if it’s in towable condition. I use craigslist mostly and never had any issues though I know a few that have. Scammers are out there and they will respond it’s life these days. What I strongly suggest is make sure you go to DMV and transfer title into new owners name. Buyers will come up with every excuse in the book why it’s not needed. Only for you to get call later about trailer abandoned somewhere and you stuck with big fine and or clean up. So list it for $1200. and see what happens, can’t hurt. Be honest with ad description and make sure title is transferred in person (not just report of sale)

 

What we do with junk airplanes, and this can apply to the camper, is donate it to a fire department, for them to set on fire and practice fire fighting, and take a tax deduction for your generous act.

 

OR, be certain to remove license plate, take a picture of their DL, and a hand wriiten bill of sale, both parties signed, picture taken, and titlework filled in, picture taken. In my state, that would be more than adequate proof of sale.

 

For the "I just want it gone." approach, see if your local area has a Freecycle list (https://freecycle.org/) You can post things from email or from the site I believe. If it's towable, have someone come and get it for free. I got rid of an old Harbor Freight trailer that needed a wheel bearing years ago that way.

 

I would put it out on Craig's List for $1000 with all the problems listed. If someone offers $500, that's more than you are expecting now and by not listing it for free you'll eliminate 80% of the screwballs. I would follow exactly what @SpencerPJ said in post #9 to protect yourself.

With all those issues, it's very unlikely someone will buy it, repair all the issues and take it back out on the road. I could fix every one of those issues. I've fixed delaminated fiberglass and repaired water damage. But the cost in materials and time would result in an upside down financial situation.

 

Contact Copart. https://www.copart.com/ See if they can pick it up for free and auction it off.

 

A lot of great ideas here. Thanks for the suggestions.

the charitable donation would be tempting but we would never be able to claim the deduction. We donate to charities every year in amounts far exceeding the value of the camper and we can never claim it because we can’t gather enough other expenses to itemize and come out better than the standard deduction. Maybe we are doing it wrong but it just doesn’t pencil out.

there is an auction yard I can take it to and make it disappear, so I think that’s the route I’m going to go.

 

Ditto on deductions. I still wind up owing money even though I have more taken out than normal.

 

It still might help someone in need, if you could afford to give it away. I was under the impression it was so rough it was unsellable. And yes, years ago, the guberment gave everyone a larger than they deserve deduction base, hence why we (me included) struggle to ever exceed it. I guess we shouldn't complain, we can still complain about taxes on taxes on taxes tho.
Good luck, hope it goes to someone who can use it, and makes room for your new one.